Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Massive Pocket quickened nicely to grab victory approaching the 50m following a midfield run on the fence to make it back-to-back wins following a switch to the Valley. Diamond Brilliant kept on gamely after assuming the lead from First Responder soon after straightening following a pace-stalking run from a wide alley. Plunged late Smart Leader just failed to get up for second after making his run behind midfield on the fence. It was a return to form but he was rated two points below a win in September over this trip. Specked late Perfect Glory took a while to wind up but closed off very well in the last 100m to just miss a placing. Be Ready was already beaten when hampered in deep stretch following a box-seat run. It was a slightly disappointing effort after placing in two of his opening five Sha Tin runs. Winning Method was motoring late down the outside after making his run second from the rear following a sluggish start.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (489) - JOHNSTON HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

After being loaded into the barriers, HONEST WAY became fractious and reared abruptly, resulting in the back of its head making contact with the overhead barrier structure.

When HONEST WAY became fractious, FORZA ANGEL lunged at the front gates, resulting in the gates opening and FORZA ANGEL leaving the barriers before being quickly restrained and returned to the Start.

HONEST WAY was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

After being returned to the Start, FORZA ANGEL was also examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

Having regard to HONEST WAY's recent record in the barrier stalls, the Stewards ruled that it must perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial before being allowed to race again.

Before being allowed to race again, FORZA ANGEL will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test.

Due to these incidents, KASI FARASI became fractious and was removed from the stalls to prevent any further incident.

WINNING METHOD, which began only fairly, was crowded for room on jumping between BE READY and FORZA ANGEL, both of which shifted ground.

This resulted in WINNING METHOD racing back in the field.

As FORZA ANGEL was corrected to relieve the tightening to WINNING METHOD, it shifted out abruptly, resulting in KASI FARASI, AMAZING KIWI and FIRST RESPONDER all being badly crowded for room between FORZA ANGEL and DIAMOND BRILLIANT which shifted in This caused FORZA ANGEL to become badly unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by KASI FARASI, for KASI FARASI to be checked and to lose ground and for AMAZING KIWI and FIRST RESPONDER to become unbalanced when crowded for room.

Passing the 900 Metres, HONEST WAY raced tight inside AMAZING KIWI which was racing tight inside DIAMOND BRILLIANT.

The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by B Shinn, the rider of SMART LEADER, 3rd placegetter, against DIAMOND BRILLIANT (J Moreira), 2nd placegetter, alleging interference over the final 100 Metres.

After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, it was found that approaching the 50 Metres SMART LEADER shifted out and made contact with BE READY, resulting in SMART LEADER and BE READY racing tight.

It was further established that passing the 50 Metres SMART LEADER and BE READY bumped as a result of DIAMOND BRILLIANT shifting out marginally and MASSIVE POCKET (C Y Ho) also shifting in marginally.

When SMART LEADER and BE READY bumped, this resulted in both horses becoming unbalanced and BE READY being steadied away from the heels of MASSIVE POCKET.

As the Stewards were satisfied that SMART LEADER had initially shifted out of its own accord and made contact with BE READY and that the crowding to those horses was as a result of a minor shift from DIAMOND BRILLIANT and also MASSIVE POCKET, the objection/protest was overruled with weighed-in being declared on the numbers notified by the Judge.

Subsequently J Moreira and C Y Ho were both advised to ensure that they make every endeavour to prevent their mounts from shifting ground.

When BE READY was steadied away from the heels of MASSIVE POCKET, it shifted out, resulting in AMAZING KIWI being inconvenienced.

MASSIVE POCKET and DIAMOND BRILLIANT were sent for sampling.